The Lowdown
The V-Moda M-10 brings the iconic V-Moda style to bedroom DJs for £149, replacing the Crossfade LP2 as the company’s entry-level DJ headphone. While they lack the premium features of pricier models, they nail the basics with solid build quality and decent sound for beatmatching. A sensible choice for DJs just starting out who want quality gear without breaking the bank.
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Video Review
First Impressions / Setting up
Open the box and you’re greeted with that signature V-Moda look – hexagonal ear cups that scream “DJ gear” from across the room. The metal construction feels reassuringly solid, not the creaky plastic you get with cheaper headphones. You get a carry pouch (not a hard case, but decent enough), a 1/4″ adapter, plus both coiled and straight cables.
The build quality is good for the price. Metal headband, sturdy hinges, proper padding on the ear cups. They don’t fold – the headband is one solid piece – but that’s one less thing to break. The memory foam ear cushions feel comfortable enough, though they’re not replaceable when they eventually wear out.
Setup takes seconds. Plug the cable into the left ear cup (that’s your only option), screw on the 1/4″ adapter if you need it for your mixer, and you’re ready. No drivers, no apps, no faffing about. The coiled cable is my preference – stays off the floor when you’re mixing, but stretches when you need to move. Both cables feel durable with decent strain relief.
In Use
Testing with Gat Decor’s “Passion” (my go-to headphone test track since the nineties) reveals exactly what these are built for. The bass is pronounced, making it dead easy to lock onto kick drums when beatmatching. Hi-hats cut through clearly too. But the midrange? Definitely hollowed out. These aren’t for sitting back and enjoying your music collection.
The swivel cups work perfectly for one-ear monitoring, and they clamp securely enough for energetic mixing without being uncomfortable. After an hour they do get a bit warm – the seal is good for blocking out noise but not great for ventilation. The cable plugging only into the left side can be annoying depending on your set-up, but you’d adapt.
Sound isolation is decent – about what you’d expect from closed-back DJ headphones at this level. They’ll block out enough background noise at a house party, though in a proper loud club you might struggle. The 102 dB/mW sensitivity means they get plenty loud from any mixer or controller.
For beatmatching, they work. The boosted bass and clear highs give you what you need to line up tracks. But compared to more expensive headphones, music lacks life and energy. Fine for cueing, less impressive for actually listening.
Conclusion
The M-10s do exactly what entry-level DJ headphones should: give you the tools to mix without emptying your wallet. They’re built properly, look the part, and handle the basics of beatmatching just fine. The sound won’t blow you away, and you can’t replace worn parts, but for bedroom DJs and occasional party spinners, they’re all you need.
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Overall, they’re perfect for DJs starting out, bedroom mixing, or as a backup pair. If you’re gigging every weekend or care deeply about sound quality, you’ll want to spend more. But if you just need solid headphones that’ll help you learn to mix and won’t fall apart, these fit the bill.
For alternatives around this price, check out the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1 or Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. Both offer similar functionality with slightly different sound signatures.
The V-Moda M-10s give hobby DJs proper gear without the pro price tag – exactly what they’re designed to do.
